What Is Your “Must Have” When Writing by the authors of Spooktacular Seductions – Giveaway

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Long and Short Reviews asked the authors, “What is your MUST HAVE when writing?”

Christy Thomas

There are actually 2 things that I must have in order to get any writing done. The main thing is silence. Music is distracting, unless it is instrumental. The TV is equally annoying. I can’t think of the story if I am constantly bombarded with talking.

The second thing is something to drink, and it is usually coffee. When I need to work a scene out in my head, holding a warm cup and smelling the aroma helps to relax me and helps speed the writing.

Michelle Ziegler

I must have music, chocolate milk, and sleeping kids. I know. I’m complex!

Linda Carroll-Bradd

Liquids. I start with at least two big cups of flavored coffee, not too strong but with a dash of creamer. Around lunch, I have a bottle of water and mid-afternoon a diet soda.

But, if you’re asking about writing materials, then I’d say it’s my copy of The Complete Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes. This is my go-to reference for creating characters.

Havva Murat

I wouldn’t be able to survive writing without an internet connection to research a million historical facts and mythological tales.

Echo Shea

Fingers. I’ve scribbled in nice notebooks, on scrap paper, with pencils and pens. I’ve typed on different computers. Even on steamy glass and dry erase boards. The one thing I can’t imagine doing is speaking my stories into a microphone or tape recorder. There’s something about writing it out that gives you time to find the right words. I think I would go nuts if I had to use a different medium to get my stories out.

Anne Higa

Privacy. I can’t write if I think someone might be watching. Even if I know it’s paranoid. If out somewhere my back has to be to the wall otherwise I keep glancing back to see if anyone happens to be there.

Lily Carlyle

Sadly, I can’t think of anything, although I can usually come up with 1000 reasons why I CAN’T write. Really, all you need is a piece of paper and a pen.

Lisa A. Adams

I’m sure plenty of other authors will say the same thing, so I’m not being original when I say… COFFEE. It has to be a fresh cup, though it could sit there almost untouched for the hours that I am writing. An occasional sip is all that is required. I’ve realized that it isn’t so much for the caffeine. It’s simply for the smell, and a habit I got into early. Computer on? Check. Scrivener loaded? Check. Fresh cup of coffee? Of Course! Now, we’re ready to begin!

Fiona Mikolas is an outcast, branded by her fiery red hair and a purple birth mark—both signs of the devil. Two years earlier, she survived an influenza outbreak that claimed her peddler husband, Gregos, and her baby son, Tito. Now she lives a solitary life, traveling a circuit of southern states in America and selling healing potions. Until the night of All Hallow’s Eve, when her lonely life is changed by the arrival of two strangers in her camp.

Beaten and robbed, rancher Hagan Fletcher stumbles toward the light of a campfire in south Texas, intent on finding a way to retrieve his stolen stallion. When he awakens, he’s forgotten his name and how he came to be in the company of an exotic beauty. Fiona’s ways are a mystery but when her quick-thinking saves his life again, he looks deeper beneath the surface to who she really is.

Something, or someone, pulled Miranda to purchase the old carriage house. It was a great deal, most likely because of the cemetery or the unexpected resident, Thomas. The ghost she finds within the sanctuary of her new home should have scared her. Instead she finds herself falling in love with him.

Now, a few days from Halloween, Thomas continues to push her to live her life. He wants one night though; the one night of magic for the dead. Torn by her love for Thomas and her need for reality and human contact, Miranda takes a chance with Sean. Someone who’s alive. The guilt is eating away at her. Sean’s nice and he hasn’t run off yet, pushed away by her craziness. Miranda knows she can’t split her herself.

Choosing her heart’s desire doesn’t seem possible, but living and loving another seems like a life riddled with pain.

Jeff Austin-LeGrange has been fleeing from the remnants of his dark and haunted childhood his entire life. The past always catches up to us, and his is no exception.

Alice Hopkins, Jeff’s high school sweetheart, has tried to forget him and tried to move on. You never forget your first love.

When Jeff’s mother dies and Alice’s father falls ill, the two are forced to confront their mutual history and their deepest desires. One thing is sure: neither of their lives will ever be the same again. Perhaps, the past can be overcome. Perhaps, it is not too late to believe in miracles. Perhaps, more than one couple will be reunited this Fall.

Spending Friday night in an abandoned amusement park sounded like an awesome idea to motherless, teenage track star, Remy Bordeaux—empty rides with no queues, and time alone with his best friend’s alluring sister, Rafaela, was sure to make for a memorable night.

But Friday night at Six Flags became memorable for all the wrong reasons when the park turned out to not be so abandoned after all. Rafaela goes missing after getting cozy with Remy, and everyone thinks that Remy is responsible, even his best friend.

It will take another trespassing trip to Six Flags for the truth of Rafaela’s disappearance to be revealed and for the riddle of Remy’s birth to be unraveled.

Loralei takes extreme measures to prove her cheating husband has forsaken their bows by seeking confirmation from a fortune-teller. The truth revealed is that she’s been unfaithful in a six hundred year old spiritual marriage.

Samael, the Angel of Death must assist a young girl’s soul in ascending to heaven. An unexpected encounter with his estranged wife distracts him and the precious soul is lost.

Working together to save the endangered soul, they find the price to reach her is higher than they both anticipate.

Aggie Pierce owns a quaint little spot, the Spooky Hollow Cafe’. Tourist come from all over the nation to her confections diner for the entertainment. Real live interacting ghosts make appearances once a day, you just don’t know when.

But, when a ghost’s crush becomes an obsession, just how far will a hero have to go to save Aggie’s life?

Anne Kane

River City Dead

Love Me Only

Gone in the Night

My Favorite Mistake

Taking Desire

Needing Desire

Running Hot

Frost Moon

Blue Light Special

Review Star Rating Definitions

1 Star – We currently do not review any story with a 1 star rating. If it’s DNF or a “wall-banger” we decline to review.

2 Stars — Not wonderful, but tolerable. There may be some minor editing glitches but not enough to stop you reading. Not a wall-banger, but nothing you’d re-read. This is a book you would borrow from the library – not buy- and never check out again. You might recommend it to a friend with a mention of the glitches, knowing that something in the plot or story would still appeal to them regardless.

3 Stars — Good. Mostly enjoyable. You made it through and didn’t consider it a waste of time or money. The story was strong enough or the conflict tight enough, so even when the book faltered, it was able to draw you back in and keep you. There’s a chance you’ll recommend it to a friend, but it wouldn’t go on your keeper shelf.

4 Stars — Very Good. You’re glad you were the one who got to review the book. You would probably buy it and would definitely recommend it to your friends. You liked the characters and the plot. The writing style was good and the editing clean.

5 Stars — Great! You would definitely buy this book. You would definitely recommend it to your friends. You really loved the characters and the plot and would consider looking for this authors back list or making her an autobuy. The writing and editing were superb.

LASR Best Book – For a book or story that is truly exceptional. You think about it when you’re not reading it. You wonder what happens to the characters when you finish. You would absolutely buy everything else this author had to offer. The highest praise – and reserved for only a few.

Review Heat Level Descriptions

SWEET: no visual love scenes and no descriptive kissing;

SENSUAL: Contains a high degree of sexual tension, steamy kisses and passionate clinches, but all fully consummated love scenes will be implied, not described, and with the bedroom door firmly closed.

SPICY: Contains actual love scenes and may include detailed descriptions of foreplay and consummation.

HOT: Contains sizzling and very detailed love scenes throughout and graphic, explicit content which may be offensive to some.

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Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. On occasion, we review books we have purchased with our own money or borrowed from a public library. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.